May 9, 2012
www.gfb.org
Vol. 30 No. 19
THREE COUNTIES ROLL OUT FEED MY SCHOOL PROGRAM The Feed My School for a Week project implemented by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) launched with three pilot schools this spring. Elementary schools in Bleckley, Colquitt and Hall counties were chosen for the program last fall, and in April and May they served Georgia-grown products for a week. The Farm Bureau chapters in these counties have worked with the GDA to supply local food and educate the students about farming. “It just makes sense,” said Bleckley County Farm Bureau President Mike Lucas. “That kid really doesn’t know where that food came from. If he’s riding around and passes a field he can say, ‘I ate some of that stuff.’ It hits home with them.” In addition to featuring locally grown products on their cafeteria menus, all three schools incorporated farm topics into their lesson plans to emphasize where the food came from. Feed My School for a Week was intended to combat childhood obesity, raise agricultural awareness and create markets for Georgia farmers. During the designated week, the school lunches at the three schools were to be composed of at least 75 percent Georgia-grown products. “We wanted to come at the farm-to-school effort from a little different angle from anything we saw,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black. “It’s been incredible to watch these three communities really take ownership. This kind of effort would not have been possible without the efforts of the Farm Bureau leaders in these three counties.” In Colquitt County, Norman Park Elementary School participated in Feed My School the week of April 23 - 27. Students were treated to strawberries from Ochlocknee Ridge Farm, vegetables from Southern Valley and Packer Produce and beef from a cow raised in the county and purchased in part with funds from Colquitt County Farm Bureau. Students at Wauka Mountain Multiple Intelligences Academy in Hall County were served a variety of Georgia-Grown products during the week of May 7-11. Hall County Farm Bureau also worked to provide locally grown beef to the school. “We’re trying to find out the stumbling blocks in terms of getting products to their kitchen,” said HCFB Director Sam Chapman, who is also a member of the Hall County Board of Education. “We want to do it. The more you do locally, the better off everyone is.” In Bleckley County, locally grown peaches and peanuts will be featured the week of May 1418. Bleckley County Farm Bureau worked to provide a cow that was slaughtered and ground into hamburger meat for use in dishes at Bleckley County Middle School. BCFB Director Michael Williams invited fourth-grade students to his farm for demonstrations on how corn is grown.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 7 DEAL SIGNS TAX REFORM BILL INTO LAW During the Governor’s Awards Luncheon for the 2012 Manufacturers of the Year on April 19, Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law the Georgia Jobs and Family Tax Reform Plan, which among other things maintained existing agricultural sales tax exemptions on feed, seed, fertilizer, chemicals and equipment and expanded them to include energy, equipment parts, trailers, cropdusters and more. To qualify for the agricultural sales tax exemptions, a farmer must produce at least $2,500 worth of agricultural products per year, provide $2,500 worth of agricultural services or have long-term agricultural products with the reasonable potential to produce $2,500 annually. The law, also known as HB 386, is based on recommendations from the Special Council on Tax Reform & Fairness for Georgians. It eliminates sales taxes and ad valorem taxes on vehicles. In their place, the bill establishes onetime seven percent title fees to be paid at the time of the vehicle purchase. According to a release from Deal’s office, the bill lowers personal income taxes by increasing the marriage deduction from $5,400 to $7, 400. The level of tax-exempt income for retirees ages 65 and older remains at $65,000 ($130,000 for couples). Visit http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20112012/126282.pdf to review the entire law. USDA REVISES CROP ACREAGE REPORTING DATES Several crops planted in Georgia are subject to new crop reporting dates established through a combined effort between the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Risk Management Agency (RMA). Effective July 1, there are more deadline dates to specific fruit and vegetable crops than in prior years. The reporting deadlines for fruits and vegetables apply regardless of whether a farmer has the crop covered under a crop insurance plan. The deadlines with the most significant changes are for small grains, forage crops and tobacco. The acreage reporting deadline for winter-seeded small grains was moved from March 1 to January 15. The reporting date for grass and forage crops enrolled in the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) was moved to Jan. 15 from March 1 to coincide with small grain acreage reports. The deadline for flue-cured tobacco was moved from May 1 to May 15. The other reporting dates (in bold) are: Jan. 2 - honey (producers with NAP coverage); Jan. 15 - apples, blueberries, peaches, barley, canola, oats, rye, wheat and other fall-seeded small grains, as well as grazing and forage crops; March 15 - cabbage planted between Oct. 1 and Feb. 20 and onions planted by Oct. 21 and Feb. 1; May 15 - flue-cured tobacco, fresh market sweet corn planted between Aug. 26 and May 15, fresh market tomatoes planted between Aug. 16 and April 5; July 15 - cabbage planted between Feb. 21 and May 31, corn, cotton, grain, sorghum, peanuts, soybeans and other crops planted by this date and not already reported; Aug. 15 - cabbage planted between June 1 and July 15, fresh market tomatoes planted between July 1 and Aug. 15; Sept. 15 - fresh market sweet corn planted between July 15 and Aug. 25; Oct. 15 - cabbage planted between July 16 and Sept. 30. Nov. 15 - apiculture (not NAP/honey coverage) and pasture, range and forage (PRF) (not NAP-covered grazing and forage).
Leadership Alert page 3 of 7 PEANUT FARMERS VOTE TO REAFFIRM GPC Georgia peanut farmers reaffirmed the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) by a vote of 87.6 percent during the recent referendum, held March 15 through April 15. “I appreciate the farmers’ confidence in the commission and we are committed to continue earning that confidence,” said Armond Morris, a peanut farmer from Irwin County and GPC chairman. “The commission continues to work together as a partnership between Georgia’s peanut farmers, the commission board and staff, in funding research projects to assist with increasing yield, promoting peanuts and working on the farmers’ behalf in Washington, D.C.” As required by Georgia state law, the state’s peanut farmers vote on the commission every three years. The ballots were mailed to peanut growers the week of March 15 and the Certified Public Accounting firm of Allen, Pritchett and Bassett counted the ballots returned on April 24. Georgia peanut farmers invest $2 per ton each year to fund the commission’s work in the program areas of research, education, promotion and communication. For additional information on the Georgia Peanut Commission, visit http://www.gapeanuts.com. REP. GRAVES VISITS NORTHWEST GEORGIA FARMS Gordon County Farm Bureau members Larry Thomason and Joe and Andrew Moore hosted farm stops for U.S. Rep. Tom Graves (R-Dist. 9) during his agriculture tour of Northwest Georgia on May 1. During the visit to his egg farm, Thomason voiced his concern about legislation introduced in the U.S. House this winter that would mandate the size of cages in which egg producers must house their hens. The bill implements an agreement reached last summer between the United Egg Producers and Humane Society of the United States. “I think this agreement would put every small producer out of business. Europe has had it for a while and they have an egg shortage and consumers pay more for eggs. I think larger producers are forced to say they approve the agreement but I don’t think they really do,” Thomason said. “If we don’t treat these birds well they aren’t going to lay eggs. We handle them humanely. This is how we make our living so we can’t abuse these animals.” During the stop at Moore’s Seed Farm, Joe Moore and his son, Andrew, talked about the grain crops they grow and explained the potential for canola production in Georgia. They also expressed frustration with government regulations that hinder farmers when they try to start new value-added businesses. “This has been an amazing day to see the diversity of agriculture in Northwest Georgia,” Graves said. “The common thread we heard is government is in the way. When government is preventing farmers from doing what they need to do to get food onto the tables of Americans then government has gone too far.” Graves, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee and its Sub-Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development and the Food and Drug Administration, said limited federal funds will require prioritization of how farm bill funds are spent. Afternoon stops on the tour included the Tyson feed mill where Graves saw how feed is produced for Tyson chicken growers. During the last stop at the UGA Northwest Georgia Research and Education Center, Graves learned how research has increased farm profits.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 7 FORT VALLEY FARMERS MARKET SEEKS VENDORS The Fort Valley Farmers Market is seeking farmers, vendors and civic clubs to sell at the weekly market that will operate in downtown Fort Valley through October. The market, located at the intersection of East Church and Lowe Street next to the Passenger Depot in downtown Fort Valley, will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. The Fort Valley Farmers Market supports the Georgia Made, Georgia Grown market plan, which means products sold at the market should be grown or made locally. Approved market items include fresh produce, plants, flowers, crafts and homemade baked goods. Space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and vendors may set up on the days of their choice. Vendor fees are $20 for the season or $5 per weekend. On June 8 and 9, the Georgia Peach Festival will be held in Fort Valley, and the Farmers Market is busy with entertainment and crafts. On Sept. 7 and 8, Fort Valley will host the Com South Hambone Jam, the final event of the Georgia BBQ Association, and the Farmers Market is very busy that weekend. For more information, call the Fort Valley Main Street/Downtown Development Authority at 478-825-5986 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. USDA PIGFORD SETTLEMENT CLAIMS FILING DEADLINE May 11 is the deadline for claims to be filed in the USDA Pigford II settlement case. The settlement arises from a class action lawsuit against USDA that alleges the department discriminated against African-Americans who applied for or attempted to apply for farm loans or other farm benefits between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1996. The settlement applies only to African-American farmers who meet specific eligibility requirements, including the requirement that they previously submitted a request to file a late claim in the 1999 Pigford I class action Consent Decree. Claimants must register for a claims package by calling 1-877810-8110 or 1-866-950-5547 or visiting the website www.blackfarmercase.com. A claims package will be mailed to claimants. MONROE COUNTY HERD SALE May 12 Sleepy Creek Farm 12:30 p.m. Forsyth More than 80 bred heifers will be fore sale during the event. Data available on the heifers includes A.I. breeding and sire EPD’s, pelvic area, frame score, disposition score, weight per day of age and average daily gain. For more information contact the Monroe County Extension office by phone at 478-994-7014 or by email at uge2207@uga.edu. Information about the sale may also be found online at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/monroe/HERDProgram/herd.html. GEORGIA COTTON WOMEN SCHOL. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 15 The John M. and Connie H. Mobley Memorial Scholarship is presented annually by the Georgia Cotton Women to the child or grandchild of an active Georgia cotton producer with priority given to children of Georgia Cotton Women members. In the event there is no child or grandchild of a GCW member eligible for the scholarship, the GCW Scholarship Committee has the discretion to present the award to another qualified candidate. This scholarship was established by the late John M. Mobley. It was continued by his wife Connie and is now carried on by their family. The $1,500 scholarship will be payable one-third each quarter or one-half each semester. Scholarship applications may be downloaded at http//:www.georgiacottonwomen.org. For more information contact Charlotte Wingate at 229985-1435 or Nancy Coleman at 229-941-2930 or rosehillfarms@windstream.net. The deadline for application is May 15.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 7 USDA SUSTAINABLE AG & CONSERVATION WORKSHOPS May 17 Camp Westminster Conyers June 14 Love is Love Farm and Oakleaf Mennonite Farm Atlanta These three workshops, offered by the Upper Ocmulgee River Resource Conservation and Development Council, will show participants organically grown crops in various stages of development along with a variety of production practices. Information about how to become eligible for USDA programs will be presented. Registration is free but must be done in advance. To register, visit http://tiny.cc/LBdf2b. For more information, call the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service at 770-963-9288, contact Willie Torrey at 678-376-9518 or visit http://www.ebtfarmersmarket.com. BEEF MONTH PROMOTION WORKSHOP May 19 Georgia Farm Bureau 10 a.m.-2p.m. Macon The Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and Georgia Beef Board (GBB) is holding this workshop to help county cattlemen’s associations and county Farm Bureaus prepare to promote beef in June, Georgia Beef Month. GBB staff will distribute beef month materials and discuss promotion ideas. Representatives of county cattlemen’s associations will share promotion activities they’ve used in the past. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Executive Director of Communications Daren Williams will provide media training and cover how to talk about beef with consumers. The event is free but attendees are asked to RSVP by May 15 by calling Brooke Williams at 478-474-1815 or emailing her at brooke@gabeef.org. APPLY BY MAY 21 FOR FARMERS MARKET PROMOTION PROGRAM The USDA is seeking grant applicants for the 012 Farmers Market Promotion Program. Approximately $10 million is available for marketing operations, including farmers markets, community supported agriculture and roadside stands. The grants are administered by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and are available only though a competitive application process online at http://www.grants.gov. The deadline to apply is May 21. The grants aim to increase the availability of local agricultural products in communities throughout the country. They will help strengthen farmer-to-consumer marketing efforts. For more information about the program, visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP. FARM TO FORK WORKSHOP May 22-23 Stuckey Auditorium, UGA Griffin Campus Griffin This workshop is designed to help individuals and businesses with developing their food products to increase produce marketability and sales. Topics include business planning and financing, legal and regulatory issues, quality and food safety concerns, formulation and packaging, food defense plans, and distribution and sales. The registration fee is $139 and there are a limited number of $100 scholarships available. Each participant will receive a personalized scorecard detailing their business development progress. For more information contact Sharon Kane at 706-542-9809 or spkane@uga.edu. CALHOUN BEEF CATTLE REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP May 29 NW GA Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion Calhoun Sale begins at 6 p.m. Contact Ted Dyer at 706-624-1403 or tgdyer@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706/624-1398 - pworley@uga.edu for more information.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 7 HEIFER EVALUATION & REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE May 30 NW GA Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion Calhoun Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information contact Ted Dyer at 706-624-1403 or tgdyer@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or pworley@uga.edu CAES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS June 1 Deadline to apply for Transfer Scholarship The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Alumni Association is accepting applications for its Transfer Scholarship for students considering transferring into a CAES program in fall 2012. For more information or to download the application form, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/CAA/scholarships.html. UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR FSA PROGRAMS Below are upcoming enrollment deadlines for programs administered by the Farm Service Agency: June 1 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payments (DCP) June 1 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payment Program (SURE) July 15 2011 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) July 15 Certification of planted acres (all crops except tobacco) Aug. 1 Farm Reconstitutions (changes) for 2012 crop year Sept. 30 Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Dates vary Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), check with FSA service center for dates) and Crop Insurance (Contact a crop insurance agent or the regional Risk Management Agency (RMA) office.) For more information about FSA programs visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov. COTTON SCOUT SCHOOLS June 11 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton June 19 Southeast Research and Education Center Midville These programs, which run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., offer basic information on cotton insects and scouting procedures. The programs will serve as a review for experienced scouts and producers and as an introduction to cotton insect monitoring for new scouts. For more information about the Tifton session, contact Debbie Rutland at 229-386-3424. For information about the Midville session, contact Peyton Sapp at 706-554-2119. 2012 GEORGIA YOUNG FARMERS ASSOCIATION SUMMER TOUR June 15-16 Tour begins in Lavonia This annual tour, conducted by the Georgia Young Farmers Association, begins with a picnic dinner at Lavonia City Park, followed by a private showing of “Land of Spirit,” Franklin County’s folk life play. The second day’s stops include Transplant Nursery for a look at one of the South’s largest azalea and rhododendron growers and the Fieldale egg hatchery. Fees are $40 for ages 12 and up and $15 for ages 6 to 11. For more information, please contact Owen Thomason at othom@franklin.k12.ga.us or 706-384-4525.
Leadership Alert page 7 of 7 GEORGIA EGG ASSOCIATION 51st ANNUAL MEETING June 20-22 King & Prince Beach & Golf Resort St. Simons Island The Georgia Egg Association meeting offers educational sessions, reports from the American Egg Board, United Egg Producers and the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council. The association will also hold its awards banquet, a spouse’s breakfast and much more. For more information, call 770-932-4622. DAWSON COUNTY FARM SAFETY FAIR June 23 Field on HWY 9@ canoe ramp near Riverview Middle Sch. Dawsonville The AGCO equipment company and Dawson County Farm Bureau are hosting a farm safety training from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for adults. AGCO will demonstrate new safety features available on hay equipment, and EMS personnel will give safety presentations. The local FFA will sell food as a fundraiser. For more information contact Tammy Wood at the DCFB at tewood@gfb.org or 706-265-3350. Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition Field Day July 12 Spence Field Moultrie See crop progress and new research tests on field plots for cotton, peanuts, corn and more. Shuttles start at 9 a.m. and door prizes will be awarded at a sponsored lunch. For more information call 229-985-1968 or visit www.sunbeltexpo.com. GARLICFEST 2012 Aug. 25 LoganBerry Heritage Farm 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cleveland This annual celebration of the Garlic harvest is a free and fun family event. It includes lots of garlic, chefs, creative food, cooking demos, tastings, live music, artisans and animals. For more information, contact LoganBerry Heritage Farm at 706-348-6068 or visit http://www.loganberryheritagefarm.com.